How fire authority layers in Colorado

A single GPS point in Colorado often sits under several overlapping authorities, each able to set its own fire restrictions:

• Federal land — USFS national forests and ranger districts (36 CFR § 261.50), BLM field offices (43 CFR Part 9212), NPS parks & monuments (36 CFR §§ 1.5, 2.13), military installations (10 U.S.C. § 2672 + service-branch fire regulations), and sovereign tribal lands. These set rules independently of state and county.
• State land — Colorado state parks follow a baseline rule at 2 CCR 405-1 (fires only in designated grills or fire containers), tightened by park-specific bans and county-stage overlays when posted.
• County — Each of Colorado's 64 counties can declare fire restrictions over unincorporated land within its boundaries (C.R.S. § 30-15-401(1)(n.5)–(n.7); sheriff fire-warden authority under §§ 30-10-512–513).
• Fire Protection District (FPD) — Each FPD has independent legal authority (C.R.S. Title 32, IFC 307.1.1). Most voluntarily follow their county's restrictions; some publish their own.

When you click a location on the map, the popup lists every jurisdiction that covers that point. The most restrictive level that applies to your specific land is the one you must follow. Read the full guide →